WALTAIR DIVISION LAUNCHES WORKPLACE SEXUAL HARASSMENT AWARENESS CAMPAIGN In a proactive move to foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace, Waltair Division has launched a comprehensive awareness program against sexual harassment at the workplace. This initiative is being led under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager Shri Lalit Bohra and Senior Divisional Personnel Officer Shri Jusuf Kabir Ansari. As part of the initiative, four dedicated awareness committees have been constituted. These teams will visit various stations and offices across the division to educate employees on their rights and responsibilities under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. A special focus is being placed on building trust and confidence among female staff, encouraging them to report any instances of harassment without fear. The campaign includes: Seminars, workshops, and interactive sessions across all departments Widespread display of informative posters, standees, and leaflets detailing the provisions of the Act and the procedure for filing complaints Emphasis on confidentiality, victim support, and the role of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) The awareness teams will act as facilitators, ensuring that victims are supported and guided throughout the complaint process while maintaining complete confidentiality. Speaking on the occasion, DRM Shri Lalit Bohra said: “Waltair Division is fully committed to maintaining a workplace where dignity, safety, and mutual respect are non-negotiable. Through these awareness initiatives, we aim to empower every employee, especially women, to work with confidence and without hesitation.” This campaign marks a significant step towards building a zero-tolerance culture for sexual harassment and promoting a more equitable and safe working environment across Indian Railways.

DRM CONDUCTS SURPRISE NIGHT INSPECTION AT VISAKHAPATNAM RAILWAY STATION Reinforcing Indian Railways'' commitment to safety and employee welfare, Shri Lalit Bohra, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Waltair Division, conducted a surprise night inspection at Visakhapatnam Railway Station and associated facilities during the midnight hours of 03 August 2025. The inspection covered vital areas including Sleeping Pods, Heritage Retiring Rooms, TTE Rest Houses, and Booking Offices, with a primary focus on: Assessing the availability and condition of staff amenities Ensuring safety and hygiene standards Addressing staff grievances Promoting discipline and operational efficiency DRM Shri Bohra personally interacted with staff members on night duty, reviewed operational records, and listened to employees’ concerns, encouraging open communication to improve the work environment. In cases where deficiencies were observed, immediate counseling and corrective guidance were provided on the spot. He was accompanied by Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Shri K. Saandeep and other senior officials during the inspection. Speaking about the initiative, DRM Shri Lalit Bohra emphasized, “The safety of our passengers and the welfare of our staff are our highest priorities. These surprise inspections help us understand ground realities, respond to issues proactively, and raise the overall standard of service.” The inspection reflects Waltair Division’s continuous drive toward excellence in railway operations, with a strong focus on employee morale, infrastructure upkeep, and passenger safety.

AP CM SHRI N. CHANDRABABU NAIDU APPLAUDS MAJOR KAVITHA VASUPALLI''S DARING FEATS AND ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu met and felicitated Major Kavitha Vasupalli, VSM, at the CM’s Office in the AP Secretariat yesterday, lauding her exceptional achievements in adventure sports and her unwavering spirit of bravery. A proud native of Metturu village in Srikakulam district, Major Kavitha is a distinguished Medical Officer in the Indian Army. The Chief Minister praised her for bringing immense pride and recognition to the state through her extraordinary endeavors. Major Kavitha recently made it to the World Book of Records (London) as the only woman to complete a grueling 1,040-kilometre rafting expedition on the Brahmaputra River. The expedition, led by Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, SM, VSM & Bar, Director of NIMAS, was fraught with danger— including four raft capsizes and a harrowing encounter with a powerful whirlpool. Despite the challenges, Major Kavitha credited their success to teamwork and divine grace. Her adventurous accomplishments extend beyond river rafting. During a high-altitude expedition to Mount Gorichen, Major Kavitha displayed remarkable courage by rescuing an unconscious fellow climber at 5,900 meters, an act for which she received the prestigious COAS Commendation. Commending her bravery and resilience, CM Shri Naidu remarked that Major Kavitha’s journey would serve as a powerful inspiration to India’s youth, encouraging them to explore careers in adventure sports and pursue their dreams with courage and commitment.

INDIAN NAVY''S EASTERN FLEET CONCLUDES MANILA PORT CALL WITH BILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE As part of its ongoing operational deployment to Southeast Asia, Indian Naval Ships INS Delhi (Guided Missile Destroyer), INS Shakti (Fleet Tanker), and INS Kiltan (Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette) of the Eastern Fleet, under the command of Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, FOCEF (Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet), concluded their port call at Manila, Philippines. Following the visit, the Indian and Philippine Navies engaged in a bilateral maritime exercise from 03–04 August 2025, reinforcing interoperability and strengthening maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. During the port call, Rear Admiral Susheel Menon met with key Philippine officials, including: Rear Admiral Joe Anthony C Orbe, Commander, Philippine Fleet Lt Gen Jimmy D Larida, Vice Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines Ignacio B. Madriaga, Undersecretary for Strategic Assessment and Planning Vice Admiral Edger Ybanez, Deputy Commandant for Operations, Philippine Coast Guard These high-level engagements reflected the growing strategic alignment between India and the Philippines, reaffirming both nations'' shared commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. A deck reception aboard INS Shakti welcomed dignitaries including Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, alongside senior government and naval officials. The event enhanced bilateral goodwill and provided a platform for informal diplomacy. The visit featured: Professional exchanges, including cross-deck visits and operational planning Subject Matter Expert interactions to share best practices and strengthen maritime understanding A bilateral naval exercise (30 July – 04 August 2025) with a harbour phase (30 July – 02 August) and sea phase (03–04 August), including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare drills The ships were opened to visitors from the Philippine Navy, government, students, and the Indian community, showcasing the Indian Navy’s technological prowess and commitment to maritime outreach. Additionally, Indian Navy personnel visited the Friendship Home Father Luis Amigó Orphanage, deepening bonds of compassion and community goodwill. Friendly sports matches between the two navies further fostered camaraderie, trust, and people-to-people connections. This port call marks a significant milestone in India–Philippines maritime partnership, underscoring the Indian Navy’s role as a trusted and capable maritime partner dedicated to peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

BLOOD DONATION CAMP HELD AT NSTL ON LAB RAISING DAY 2025 As part of the 56th Lab Raising Day Celebrations-2025 (LRDC-2025), the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a premier research facility under the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Visakhapatnam, conducted a highly successful Blood Donation Camp on 5th August 2025 at the Family Welfare Center, NSTL campus. The event was jointly organized by the Social Service Committee of LRDC-2025, NSTL Works Committee, and NSTL CE Union, in collaboration with AS Raja Blood Bank, Visakhapatnam. Dr. Abraham Varughese, Outstanding Scientist and Director, NSTL, inaugurated the camp as the Chief Guest. He appreciated the growing enthusiasm among NSTL personnel for voluntary blood donation and commended the donors for their noble gesture. Sri GNVS Kasi Visweswara Rao (Chairman) and Sri Gaurav Kumar Prajapati (Secretary) of the Social Service Committee highlighted NSTL’s continuous efforts in organizing blood donation camps to support medical emergency needs with a reliable blood supply. A team of medical professionals led by Dr. A Sugandhi, Dr. Geeta Viswanathan, Dr. K Aruna, Dr. Radha Swaroop Rani, and 19 members from AS Raja Blood Bank, along with NSTL’s Principal Medical Officer Surgeon Lt. Cdr. Sourav Chakraborty and the NSTL MI Room team, supervised the camp efficiently. The camp was successfully coordinated under the leadership of Dr. PK Pattnayak, Scientist ‘F’ and Chairperson of LRDC-2025, along with Social Service Committee members S/Sri/Smt. EB Appa Rao, K Krishna Rao, B Padmaja, Nitesh Kumar Srivastava, T Babu Rao, Balram Kumar, Samdarsi Kumar, and D Mohan Reddy. NSTL CE Union President Sri Akiri Suneel, Works Committee Secretary Sri G Nagabhushanam, and other members also actively took part in the initiative. A total of 160 donors, including NSTL personnel and their family members, participated—setting a new record in NSTL’s history and making the camp a grand success.